Life preserver



July 28, 1925.

N. OGRODNICK LIFE PRESERVER Filed March 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l July28, 1925. I

N. OGRODNICK LIFE PRESERVER Filed March 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Shaet 2Patented July 28, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,547,518 PATENT OFFICE.

NICHOLAS OGRODNICK. OF GIRAEDVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFTO MATT STROCK, O'F GIRARDVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

LIFE PnEsERvER.

App1ication.fi1ed March 26, 1925. Serial No. 18,557.

To all whom it may concemz:

Be it known that I, NICHOLAS OGRODNIOK, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Girardville, in the county of SchuylkillandState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Life Preservers, of which the follOWiIlg is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in life preservers of theinflatable type.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel form of lifepreserver of the inflatable type which includes a plurality ofindependent compartments, each of which is provided with an inflatablebag.

A further object of the invention is to provide a protector element foreach inflatable bag which will prevent the latter from being puncturedwhile in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a life preserver embodying thisinvention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view partly in sec tion, of the life preservershown in Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the life preserver shown in Figs.1 and 2',

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly inelevation, of a portion of the garment or vest and one compartment whichcontalns an inflatable bag and its protecting element,

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of one form of inflatable bagprotector element,

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the protector shown in Fig. 5,

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken upon line VII-VII of Fig.5, and

Figure 8 is a similar view to Fig. 6, but illustrates a modified form ofprotector.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of this invention, the numerals 5 and 6 designatethe front and rear portions or sides of a vest or garment which isprovided with the shoulder straps 7 and side straps 8 suitably securedto the edges of the garment or vest parts 5 and 6, as illustrated. Thisgarment or vest is intended to be positioned upon the wear r with thehead of the latter projecting from between the shoulder straps 7. Totightlyfasten this garment or vest upon the user, the cords 9 arefastened to the lower corners of the back 6 and are laced throughsuitable openings 10 in the lower corners of the front 5 for being tied,as at 11,

in front of the user.

Each part 5 and 6 is provided with a pair of parallel extending,elongated compartments 12 which are transversely cut at 13, adjacenttheir lower ends, for permitting the insertion of the inflatable bagwhich is employed with each compartment. To close the transverselyextending opening 13, after the inflatable bag hasbeen inserted in thecompartment, the lacing member 14 is employed as best illustrated inFigs. 1, 3 and 4E.

The inflatable unit positioned within each compartment 12 is bestillustrated in Figs. 2 and 4t and includes an elongated unit 15 whichmay be formed of rubber or the like, closed at one end and provided witha filler nozzle 16 at its remaining end, which end is preferably locatedat the end of the compartment provided with the opening 13 so.

that the bag may be inflated without entirely being removed from itscompartment 12.

To protect the inflatable bags 15 for preventing the same from beingpunctured, by any means, while in use, the two different types ofprotector elements shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive may be used. The formshown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive consists of a pair of similarly-shaped,semi-cylindrical elements 17 which are rounded at their opposite ends18, as best illustrated in Fig. 5. The adjacent ends of thesemi-cylindrical elements 17 are hinged together at 19 for permittingthe parts to be moved away from each other to allow for the insertion ofan inflatable bag therebetween. The remain ing adjacent ends of theelements 17 are provided with complemental, semi-cylindrical projections20 which will enclose the filler nozzle 16 of an inflatable bag forprotecting the same. It is to be understood that this form of protectoris to be made from a suitable metallic material, such as sheet tin,aluminum or the like. The form of protector shown in Fig. 8 includes theopposite parts 17 which are of the same shape as the parts 17 in theform shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive. These parts, however, are formedof a moldable or fabric material, or if desired It is to beunderstoodthatthe forms of this invention herewith shown and dedescribedare to be taken as preferred exanb ples of the same, andthat variouschanges in the shape, size, andarrangementof parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit of'the invention-or the scope of thesubj oined iclaims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim 1. In a life preserver ofthe type de scribed, a garment portion, a plurality of compartmentsformed thereon, an inflatable bag in each compartment, and a protectorunit for each inflatable bag, positioned be tween the walls of the bagand-the walls of the compartment.

2. Ina life preserver of the type described, a garment portion, aplurality of compartments formedthereon, an inflatable bag iii-eachcompartment, and a protector unit for each'zinflatable bag? positionedbe tween thew'alls oi the bag and the walls of the compartment, eachprotector unit including apair of opposite, relatively; movableelements.

3. In a life preserver of the type described, a garment portion, aplurality of compartments formed thereon, an inflatable bag in eachcompartment, and a protector unit for each inflatable bag positionedbetween the walls'otthe bag and "the walls of the compartment, eachprotector unit including apair of opposite, hinged'ly connectedelements.

4:. In a life preserve!" of the type" described, a garment portion,r.aplurality of compartments formed thereon, an inflatable bag in eachcompartment, and a protector unit forea'clrinflatable b ag positionedbetween the walls of the bag and the walls of the compartment, saidprotector units each including a-pair of opposite, hingedlyconnectedrigid elements.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature;

NICHOLAS OGRODNIGK.

